Critical Metallurgical Engineer Intern

PHNX Materials • San Leandro, CA

1d

About The Position

Be part of something extraordinary. Seeking a Metallurgical Engineer intern to step into a fast-paced pilot plant environment. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with our R&D and Process Engineering teams to validate extraction processes, run pilot-scale campaigns, and troubleshoot real-world metallurgical challenges. You will be handling slurries, analyzing data, and helping refine the technology that will revolutionize heavy industry.

Requirements

• Education: Currently pursuing a B.S. or M.S. in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Mineral Processing.
• Technical Knowledge: Understanding of metallurgical principles (leaching, solvent extraction, precipitation) and mineral processing basics (comminution, sizing).
• Hands-On Aptitude: Comfortable working in an industrial/lab environment; not afraid to get your hands dirty or use hand tools.
• Data Driven: Proficiency in Excel for data analysis; experience with design of experiments (DoE) or process modeling software (e.g., Aspen, HSC Chemistry) is a plus.
• Soft Skills: Strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in a scrappy, undefined, and high-energy startup atmosphere.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with analytical equipment (SEM, XRD, PSA).
• Forklift certification or safety training (HAZWOPER).
• Previous internship experience in mining, chemical processing, or semiconductor manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Pilot Plant Operations: Assist in the operation of bench and pilot-scale equipment, including leaching reactors, filter presses, crushers, and precipitation circuits.
• Process Optimization: Run experiments to optimize recovery rates for Aluminum, Rare Earth Elements (REEs), and Titanium from coal ash feedstocks.
• Data Analysis: Collect, log, and analyze process data (pH, temperature, flow rates, residence time) to support mass balance calculations and scale-up decisions.
• Sample Characterization: Prepare samples for analysis (ICP, XRD, XRF) and interpret results to validate process efficiency.
• Troubleshooting: Identify operational bottlenecks or mechanical issues in the hydrometallurgical circuit and propose practical engineering solutions.
• Safety First: strictly adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regarding chemical handling (acids/bases) and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Benefits

• A rare opportunity to design and launch a facility that takes on some of the world’s toughest environmental challenges.
• A fast-paced, mission-driven startup culture where your ideas matter, your work has immediate impact, and your career can grow as quickly as we do.
• The chance to transform heavy industries and be part of a movement rewriting the future of manufacturing and national security.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern